After a couple of hours Mo wandered into the room with his tactical vest in his mouth. He wore it when we went for walks. The various Velcro sections let him carry his own water bottle, a snack or a meal depending on how long our walk would be, a toy or two, and poop bags. It also had plenty of room for patches that he wore proudly. The largest one read Prepper, an American flag was attached to another area, and another patch read GUARD DOG, a present from my dad. Though, when he gave it to me, he told me it was wishful thinking on his part.
Mo was reminding me it had been too long since we had gone for a substantial walk. A glance out the window also reminded me of what a beautiful fall day it was.
“You’re right, Mo,” I said, rubbing behind his ear. “We should go for a walk.”
It didn’t take long to get us both ready. I keep a vest ready for just such a walk. I grabbed it out of the entryway closet and slipped it on as I walked to the kitchen. It had numerous pockets most already filled. It contained a small first aid kit, sunscreen, a multi tool, compass, small notebook and pen since ideas can strike any time anywhere and leaving it to memory is not wise, a couple of silver thermal blankets and an extra pair of socks. I added a bottle of water to Mo’s vest and one to mine. I grabbed energy bars for myself and got Mo’s vest set with his collapsible water dish, his snack pack, and toy pack.
I slipped on my hiking boots, jeans, and tucked my ponytail through the hole of a bright orange hat that had my logo emblazoned across the front—Prepped & Prepared, then Mo and I headed out.
It wasn’t long before I realized that it had been far too long since Mo and I had walked in the woods, and I was glad he had reminded me of it. We took a path that bypassed Willow Lake Lodge. I figured I’d had Ian on my mind enough and needed a break from him and everything else. It was just me and Mo now.
Mo had me laughing, watching him chase the squirrels. He rarely put much effort into it. It was the same with his toys. I’d toss a ball and he’d go fetch it, at his own pace, then return to me and stretch out on the ground beside me with the ball in his mouth, letting me know fetching was done.
He did, however, enjoy strolling through the woods and sniffing around, scratching at the fallen leaves or dirt every now and then when something caught his interest.
That was what he was doing now after we had walked for about forty minutes, had a snack and some water, and were resting before we’d turn around to head back.
His head suddenly shot up and I jumped to my feet. Mo rarely took on an alert stance and when he did, I paid attention.
“What is it, Mo?” I asked softly.
He turned his head and started walking, and I followed.
He didn’t run or bark, so my alarm level went down, but he had sensed something and was headed toward it. I kept pace, not that it was ever difficult to keep up with Mo. I shouldn’t say that. There are certain times Mo can be a formidable dog.
Mo stopped and sat, a signal that he had found something, but wasn’t likely to fetch it himself or he had lost interest. Seeing nothing right in front of him, I stepped around him and peered around the big bush he was staring at. My breath caught.
There in the middle of a small clearing stood a gorgeous Highlander in a kilt, black boots, and a sword held high, his two hands gripping it and his muscles rippling.
Now I sounded like Amy’s romances, but then Amy was right—Ian made the perfect Highlander. He looked like a warrior of old about to charge into battle, his skin glistening with a fine sheen and his muscles taut.
When he lowered his sword and stretched out his hand, I almost rushed through the bushes at him. Glad I didn’t, since a beautiful blonde appeared and took his hand. The next thing I knew she was tucked in his arms, his face lowered down close to hers, and the sexual heat in his eyes as he gazed upon her melted my limbs and sent my dormant libido pumping.
I stood staring as more poses were struck between the couple, each one appearing more intimate, more sexual than the previous one.
I was relieved when someone shouted, “Take a break, then we’ll shoot a few more and that’ll be a wrap for the day.”